‘Phantom’ star to present one-man show March 29 at Kinston’s GHPAC

By The Free Press

Published: Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 09:26 AM.

D’Ambrosio is a welcomed and frequent guest artist with many major American orchestras and symphonies (Pop Series). With the success of his national and international tours, he has joined the ranks of the famed Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman as only a handful of ‘Phantom’ alumni to crossover successfully into solo careers.

He also has performed in an Academy Award nominated film, an Emmy Award nominated television show, four-time Tony nominated Broadway show, has had two Grammy considerations and a National Theater Award nomination.

Early in D’Ambrosio’s career, Paramount Pictures talent scouts discovered him in the chorus of his first Broadway show. This ended an exhausting, two year international search for the perfect Anthony Corleone. Francis Ford Coppola immediately cast him as Al Pacino’s opera singing son in Coppola’s seven-time Academy Award nominated film “Godfather III.”

The “Iron Man of the Mask” Franc D’Ambrosio will bring his critically acclaimed one man show, “Broadway – Songs of the Great White Way“ to Kinston’s historic Grainger Hill Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. March 29.

The performance is the grand finale of GHPAC’s 2013-14 Performing Arts Series. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., and advance tickets are available on GHPAC’s Web site, www.ghpac.com.

D’Ambrosio will perform favorites from “Les Miserables,” “Jekyll and Hyde,” “The Phantom of the Opera” and other famous Broadway musicals.

D’Ambrosio is best known as the “Phantom” in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award winning Musical, “The Phantom Of The Opera.” Affectionately known as “The Iron Man of The Mask,” he was awarded the distinction as the “World’s Longest Running Phantom.” This accomplishment was immortalized in a cemented hand ceremony and retained this title for a decade.

D’Ambrosio is a welcomed and frequent guest artist with many major American orchestras and symphonies (Pop Series). With the success of his national and international tours, he has joined the ranks of the famed Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman as only a handful of ‘Phantom’ alumni to crossover successfully into solo careers.

He also has performed in an Academy Award nominated film, an Emmy Award nominated television show, four-time Tony nominated Broadway show, has had two Grammy considerations and a National Theater Award nomination.

Early in D’Ambrosio’s career, Paramount Pictures talent scouts discovered him in the chorus of his first Broadway show. This ended an exhausting, two year international search for the perfect Anthony Corleone. Francis Ford Coppola immediately cast him as Al Pacino’s opera singing son in Coppola’s seven-time Academy Award nominated film “Godfather III.”

D’Ambrosio had the honor of sing the Academy Award winning theme song, “Speak Softly Love” (Brucia la Terra) both in the film and on the original motion picture soundtrack. D’Ambrosio’s performances of the theme song have garnered more than one million hits on YouTube.

His performance so impressed the late Luciano Pavarotti that it led to an invitation, quickly accepted, for him to study with the legendary tenor at his home in Italy.

After D’Ambrosio’s impressive run as “The Phantom Of The Opera,” he caught the eye of Barry Manilow, who personally selected him to create and star as the male lead, “Tony,” in the pre-Broadway tour of “Copacabana.”The show enjoyed a successful year long tour. The performance earned D’Ambrosio his National Theater Award nomination for Best Male Performer in a Musical.

D’Ambrosio currently tours extensively throughout the United States, Europe and South America with his critically acclaimed one man shows: “Broadway, Songs of The Great White Way” (debut 2004); “Hollywood, Songs of The Silver Screen” (debut 2007); “I’ll Be Seein’ Youz ... A Bronx Boys Musical Perspective of World War II” (debut 2010); and “Christmas in New York.”

Recognized for his vibrant voice and legato singing, D’Ambrosio was invited by Olympic Champion Brian Boitano to perform as a special musical guest in the skater’s NBC special “Brian Boitano’s Skating Spectacular.”

He also joined Boitano in his next TV special, “The 2005 Tribute to Movies on Ice,” starring as special musical guest with Michael Bolton. His performance of “Music of the Night” skated to by Boitano, received the evening’s only standing ovation.

In the middle of his full schedule of solo concerts, D’Ambrosio has co-starred with Dorothy Hamill in the critically acclaimed “Broadway On Ice.” He also starred in the Louisiana Lyric Opera’s successful production of “Miss Saigon.”

The National Italian American Foundation featured him as their special guest artist for the prestigious 2011 Spring Gala, co-hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinse.

In July, 2011, D’Ambrosio co starred in “Love Changes Everything,” a celebration of the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. This production boasted an all star cast, which also featured Tony Award winner Liz Callaway, Kevin Kern and Laurie Gayle Stephenson. They played to packed houses and received rave reviews.

“Most impressive is D’Ambrosio who played the title role in “The Phantom of the Opera” for six years and delivers an exquisite version of “The Music of the Night,” said Alice T. Carter of the Pittsburgh Tribune.

D’Ambrosio’s new show, “Christmas in New York,” celebrates the magic of the holiday season with favorite holiday standards from the American Songbook. The show debuted in November, 2011, and played to sold out audiences at the famed Rrazz Room in San Francisco and other venues nationwide.

D’Ambrosio’s passion for teaching his craft to young artists leads to Italy each summer. He has lectured for the University Of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory Of Music (at their famed Spoletto/Italy). He also works with the Cherubini Music Conservatory in Florence, Italy, and American University in Washington DC.

He also participates in numerous lecture series for such prestigious institutions as the New Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and the famed Julliard School and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, both in New York City.

While touring the country, D’Ambrosio makes himself available to local school outreach programs across the US and Europe. He offers both lecture and master class formats.

Tickets at $25 (general admission) or $40 (reserved seating), are available on GHPAC’s Web site, www.ghpac.com, at the Community Council for the Arts, Alison and Co. or by calling call Barbara Smith, (252) 521-4513, or Alison Merritt, (252) 560-8515.